How to Use the Keys

The identification keys used here are called dichotomous keys. A dichotomous key consists of a pair of differing statements (a couplet). The user must decide which of the pair best describes the ant (in this case) being examined. Each half of a couplet ends in either a number, which, when clicked, will lead to another couplet or it ends in a subfamily, genus, or species name. If the couplet ends in a subfamily name, click the subfamily name to go to genera keys in that subfamily. If the couplet ends in a genus name, click the genus name to go to the species key for that particular genus. Finally, if the couplet ends in a species name, click the species name to go to a page that gives more information about that species (this will be the case eventually anyway, all pages are not up yet). There are some cases in some of the generic keys where the couplet leads to a genus and species name rather than just a genus name that leads to a species key. In this case, there is only one species known or likely in this area and thus, it is simply keyed to species level at that point.

In many instances the couplets contain more than one character for separating the ants. Generally, the first character is the most useful character, however all characters should be looked at if possible. If, when running ants through a couplet, you have difficulty making a definitive decision, then continue through each part of the couplet until you have reached an endpoint. By doing this it usually will become obvious which of the two resulting taxa is correct based on the characters in the key and from any drawings or photographs provided.

All of the keys on this site are for workers unless otherwise stated. There are a few keys included for other castes at this time, but not for many groups. It is advisable to collect series of ants with as many castes as possible (workers, including majors and minors, if applicable; males; and queens-females). It is sometimes difficult, if not impossible, to identify some species from a single specimen. There is much variation in ants and it is best to look at series of individuals whenever possible. Often, the only way to identify males or females, is by association with nest series. Queens, sometimes may be run through the workers with success, but this is never the case with the males, which are generally quite different in appearance from either the queen or workers.

The keys provided here are compiled from many sources including published papers on ant taxonomy, web sites concerning ant identification, personal observations, and information garnered from individuals working with specific groups of ants. Literature records and web sites are cited when used. These keys were put together by Joe MacGown and users should use them at their own risk! If any problems with the keys are seen, mistakes noticed, or if anyone has additional information on specific groups that would make these keys more useful, please feel free to contact Joe MacGown. As further information is gathered, the keys will be updated and photographs and drawings will be added as time permits. Hopefully, these keys will be of some use to those trying to identify ants in this area.

If there is difficulty understanding any of the terminology or names of structures, there are links on the side and bottom of every page to a Glossary of terms.

At times in the keys, various indices and measurements are used. These terms are described below.

Author-Joe MacGown: jmacgown@entomology.msstate.edu The ant web site was uploaded on 6 March 2003 and was last updated on 2 October 2014
(specific pages may have different uploaded and updated dates) Drawings and photographs by Joe MacGown (unless otherwise noted) and copyrighted by the Mississippi Entomological Museum

The development of this web site was supported in part by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, United States Department of Agriculture, under Project No. MIS-012040 and the USDA-ARS Areawide Management of Imported Fire Ant Project (Richard L. Brown, Principal Investigator).